Lydgate Beach Park

If you are looking for what is probably the most "family friendly" beach and beach park on Kauai you will find it at Lydgate Beach Park. You can tell that a lot of thought and caring came together at the same time in the construction of this beach area. It is located just a couple miles east of the town of Lihue on a beach that by all standards could be considered fairly dangerous if it were not for the special efforts that were made to create a protected swimming pond which blocks the ocean waves from entering by a large stonewall. The ocean on this coastline is similar to coastlines located on the same facing beaches on other Hawaiian islands. These beaches, like Waiehu on Maui, are perfectly positioned to serve as a conduit for all that floats in the sea. Walking along the Lydgate Beach is an exercise in avoiding tree branches, logs, driftwood and various forms of flotsam that work its way along the coast and from the open ocean and make a natural deposit along this coastline. The sea doesn't look particularly inviting from the beach portion of Lydgate and you can tell that there are a lot of currents and wave action that wouldn't put it high up on the list of beach favorites. All negative speculation ceases however when you find your way to the special rock pools that were built to keep the turbulent ocean out and provide a calm surface to swim in that is safe. They actually created two protected pool structures, one for those that want to stretch out for a comfortable swim for a serious distance, and one designed with children in mind. I must say, they really did a great job and the water in these protected areas was very, very appealing. To top things off they provide a lifeguard service here so this tops the list of beaches that are family friendly on Kauai.

The Enclosed Beach Pool Area at Lydgate Park is Fabulous

In addition to the beach activities that are provided by the break walls, Lydgate Beach Park also has rambling grass areas with shade trees, picnic tables and barbecue grills. There are large restrooms and shower areas and a great seaside walkway that will someday connect all the way to Kapaa. The children visiting here are in heaven as they can spend their entire day exploring the "ins and outs", and "ups and downs" of what may be one of the most deluxe playgrounds ever constructed. This place is a kid's paradise and a wonderful quality experience for the little ones.

Ocean Caution

Be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be dangerous including this one. Be completely aware of the ocean conditions prior to entering any Hawaiian waters. Be certain that a lifeguard is on duty at this location and be certain to ask him where the best place for you to swim at this beach will be on the day you are there based upon the current ocean and wind conditions. Also, all shorelines and beaches in Hawaii, including this one, can be frequented by sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures which can provide potential harm to people entering the water.

Kauai Beaches

Anahola Beach is a great choice for a beach on Kauai. Not only is Anahola picturesque with scenic vistas and a great expanse of beautiful white sand but its protective outer reef of Anahola Bay makes it a less dangerous area in which to enjoy the water than many other beach locations.

Anini Beach is a narrow sliver of a beach that extends along Kauai's North Shore for somewhat over two miles. Anini Beach is an oddity on the North Shore because it is largely protected by a huge fringe reef that is one of the largest in the state.

Glass Beach near Port Allen is truly one of the oddest beaches you will find on Kauai, or anyplace else for that matter. Glass Beach is not a beach for swimming, or even getting into the water, but it is a beach to explore.

Hanalei Bay is by far the largest bay on Kauai and is the heart and soul of all the beaches on the North Shore. The area upon which the ocean touches the shores of the bay is what is known as Hanalei Beach the this colossal spectacle of a beach is perhaps two-miles long and in most places over 100' wide.

Hanamaulu Beach is located a short 3 miles north of Lihue and is protected from the ocean by the large Hanamaulu Bay. This bay is very picturesque and in the day served as the backdrop for the film "Donavan's Reef" starring John Wayne.

Kalihiwai Beach is one of the truly beautiful North Shore Beaches. It is scenically positioned between two prominent points of land and its perfect crescent shape is first noticeable as you get a glimpse of the bay when driving down the roadway which dead-ends at the beach itself.

Like so many beaches on the North Shore of Kauai safety is a big issue for Ke'e Beach. This remarkably beautiful beach has been the scene of many drownings over the years and everyone entering the water here needs to be able to access the dangers clearly.

The wide expanse of Kealia Beach can readily be seen when driving up the Kuhio Highway just north of the town of Kapaa. The beach is perhaps a half of a mile in length and 150 feet wide in most places.

Lawai Beach is a small but beautiful sliver of a white sand beach that is located just off the coastal road in the Poipu Resort area. Though it does not have a lifeguard tower it often has suitable conditions for snorkeling and there is plenty to see under the surface.

Lumahai Beach is Kauai's equivalent of the Venus Fly Trap. A case could be made that this may perhaps be the most beautiful beach on the island. Because of its beauty Lumahai Beach was the spot that was chosen to film South Pacific and it is hard to take a photo of this beach that does not come out picture postcard perfect.

In many ways the Mahaulepu Beach experience is more of a hiking adventure than a traditional beach outing. The beautiful sands of Mahaulepu Beach are essentially the hiking path that will take you on a two mile journey starting from Shipwreck Beach in Poipu all the way to the cliffs on the eastern side.

Picturesque is a word that could easily be used to describe Moloa'a Bay. The few vacation rentals that dot this east side bay obviously have the same point of view, as their beachfront locations make a memorable impression in any photograph and aid in luring potential clients to their scenic ocean retreats.

One of the most popular beaches on Kauai, and one of the most "people friendly" is Poipu Beach in the midst of the Poipu Resort. It would be a safe guess that the reason the resort is even here at all is because of beautiful Poipu Beach.

Polihale Beach is spectacular by all measures of comparison and almost every description of this beach requires the use of a superlative. This is the longest beach in all of Hawaii stretching a full 12 miles in length.

The only reason we are including the Queen's Bath on our list of beaches on Kauai is to dissuade you from going there at all. At the time of this writing I am not exactly certain how many people have lost their lives here but a year has passed by since the official tally had reached 29 persons.

Rock Quarry Beach provides the visitor with a "mixed bag". The beach, which is also known as Kahili Beach, is rustic in its own way and has a certain charm as it provides a beautiful white sand beach that is rimmed with Ironwood Trees.

Another one of Kauai's spectacularly beautiful beaches is Secret Beach. This long series of gorgeous white sand beaches can be readily seen from the Kilauea Lighthouse as you look toward the Na Pali Coastline.

An incredibly beautiful white sand beach can be found at the eastern end of the Poipu Resort called "Shipwreck Beach". The beach takes its name from the ruins of an ill-fated vessel that crashed upon its shores years ago but has since been completely consumed by the sea.

If you've ever had an opportunity to see the North Shore of Kauai from the air on a helicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft you will have had little trouble recognizing a huge reef that protrudes outward from the coastline on the eastern side of the NaPali Coast.